Drop by Drop: A Story of Rabbi Akiva

by Jacqueline Jules

Akiva is just a poor shepherd living an ordinary life, until he falls in love with Rachel. Rachel thinks her husband could become a great man of learning - but Akiva can't even read! Is he too old to be a scholar, or can he follow the example of the water in the nearby brook? Water is soft, yet drop by drop, it can soften the hardest stone.

Please The original source audio for this production includes noise/volume issues. This is the best available audio from the publisher.

Genres: Picture Books, Jewish, Biography, Childrens, Holiday

Audible Audio

Published January 28, 2020

About the author

I am a children's author, teacher, librarian, and poet. My books include the Zapato Power series, the Sofia Martinez series, Pluto is Peeved, Unite or Die: How Thirteen States Became a Nation, Duck for Turkey Day, Never Say a Mean Word Again, and Feathers for Peacock. Please visit me at http://www.jacquelinejules.com

Reviews

[Jill H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review is meant for parents, teachers, and other people that work with children to read.

Akiva is a poor man that works with shepherds and does other good deeds for people that need it. His great work catches the eye of the his boss' daughter Rachel. Rachel's father does not approve when she tells him she is going to marry Akiva and threatens to give her nothing if she does so. She would rather marry him and be poor than to get anything from her father so she decides to marry him. Rachel encourages Akiva to start studying when he is way beyond the years that people usually start to learn to read and write. Akiva endured a lot to become a scholar at his age and he couldn't have done it without Rachel's support.

Akiva's story can be an encouragement to both children and adults alike that we should go after the dreams God places in our hearts no matter how old we are. It also shows the sacrifice from Rachel because she had to be away from Akiva when he went away to become educated. There were also no children born during the story so I think both Akiva and Rachel sacrificed having a family during the time this story took place also. Some children reading this story might think that if Akiva can learn to become so educated at a older age than maybe they can do something that might seem beyond their reach also.

I related to Akiva in the story in some ways since I started learning to read, write, and speak Hebrew while I was an adult, and I think many others can too. I think the title "Drop by Drop" is a good one for this story because Akiva compares water and stones to something to help encourage himself.

I received a free copy of this book for the purpose of reviewing it.

[Theresa Worona · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! it was such a great motivational book about being able to do anything you put your mind to. I thought the story was very appropriate for young children to set in stone early in life that they can do whatever they want to do even if no one else believes in them. I thought the text was appropriate for younger readers as it was very expressive and easy to follow. you can feel the emotion in the readers words which i think is important for this story line as the readers emotions are so important and frame the plot line. i thought the images were reminiscent of those in old time fairy tales which is something i enjoyed. i think it is important to have the words be more expressive as they make the reader feel the emotions they are feeling.

[Ollie Skyba · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do appreciate the core message of the book (“It’s never too late to learn”) and it’s a meaningful one for readers of all ages. But the way it’s delivered feels outdated.

A well-educated woman marries a poor (though kind) man, supports his dreams, works hard to give him the chance to become a respected rabbi… and in the end, her entire contribution is summed up in one line: “She is a hero, too.”
Really? Just that?

I wish her part of the story felt more valued, more present — not just a footnote to someone else's success.

[Sally · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't care for the way that his wife was in a continual state of sacrifice in order that her husband could become a great scholar, even though she was the one who encouraged him to study when he seemed to old to begin. It is not particularly a message I would want to send to young girls.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful story about a poor, illiterate shepherd who, through the encouragement and support of his wife, becomes a great man of learning. Lovely illustrations by Yevgenia Nayberg.

[Sydney Ossege · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a fan of this book and I believe it would be a great book to include in a classroom! First off, the name alone is very creative and plays a big role into the book as the husband is learning how to slowly understand and comprehend how to read, which is not an easy task! Being not the normal background for a book (different country, race, culture) this will become a great addition to any classroom to include diversity and help provide a message to all students on what some difficulties are to others that they may already have accomplished.

[Marilyn Wolpin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jacqueline Jules’ Drop by Drop: A Story of Rabbi Akiva is a lovingly told inspirational story about learning to read late in life with the encouragement of a loving family member. Although poor and illiterate, Akiva’s wife Rachel urged him to learn to read and study Torah. The humble shepherd listened to his wife and became the famed and revered Rabbi Akiva, one of Judaism’s greatest sages. Yevgenia Nayberg’s beautiful art enhances the tale. Highly recommended for all. #JewishJoy #kidlit

[Amy Bodkin · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a good, simple picture book about Rabbi Akiva and how his wife encouraged and supported him in learning to read and eventually becoming a great teacher. It points out that something as seemingly weak as water can wear away something as hard as stone, and with slow, steady work, Rabbi Akiva learned to read and become a great teacher.

[Nancy Prater · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story about sacrificing much to gain an education, and about loving and supporting family. Not sure why the wife had to stay away, but I suppose that's a rabbit trail I could go down later.

[LeeTravelGoddess · Rating 5 out of 5]

never give up!!!

[Shari (Shira) · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I saw this book I wondered how the author would tell such a triumphant, yet heartbreaking story that would be suitable for children. She did it?